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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Backlighting
    5. Cable & Connector
    6. Wireless Versatility
    7. Extra Features
    8. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Keystrokes
    2. Typing Quality
    3. Typing Noise
    4. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Software & Programming
    2. Keyboard Compatibility
  7. Comments

Keychron K2 (Version 2) vs Keychron K8

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Keychron K2 (Version 2)
Keychron K8

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jun 27, 2023 08:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 15, 2024 12:27 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Keychron K2 (Version 2) Picture
Keychron K8 Picture

Variants

  • K2 (Version 2) (Dark Gray)
  • K8 (Dark Gray)

Our Verdict

Keychron K2 (Version 2)

Keychron K8

The Keychron K2 (Version 2) and the Keychron K8 are essentially the same keyboard in two different sizes. The K2 is 75%, while the K8 is 80%. The K2 is available with various Gateron switches, but the K8 has both Gateron and Keychron Optical switch options. That said, both keyboards have a hot-swappable variant that lets you change the switches without soldering. Latency is better on the K8, but the difference shouldn't be noticeable to most people.

0

Check Price

Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
B&H
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
BestBuy.com

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.7
7.7

Windows  

Full
Partial

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Top Picture
Keychron K8 Top Picture

Size 
 

Compact (75%)
TenKeyLess (80%)

Height 
 

1.7" (4.2 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)

Width  

12.4" (31.6 cm)
14.1" (35.8 cm)

Depth 
 

5.0" (12.7 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.74 lbs (0.787 kg)
1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Build Quality Close Up
Keychron K8 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

6.5
6.5

Side Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Side Picture
Keychron K8 Side Picture

Board Design 
 

Straight
Straight

Minimum Incline 
 

6.5°

Medium Incline 
 

8.5°

Maximum Incline 
 

11°
12°

Wrist Rest  

No
No

Show text

Backlighting 
 

9.1
9.3

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Backlighting Picture
Keychron K8 Backlighting Picture

White Shot 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) White Shot
Keychron K8 White Shot

Brightness Max 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Brightness Max
Keychron K8 Brightness Max

Brightness Min 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Brightness Min
Keychron K8 Brightness Min

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

RGB
RGB

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Yes
Yes

Color Mixing 
 

Poor
Ok

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Programmable 
 

No
No

Show text

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wireless

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length  

3.9 ft (1.2 m)
3.9 ft (1.2 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
USB type-C

Show text

Wireless Versatility 
 

10
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

3
3

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
Rechargeable

Show text

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Extra Features
Keychron K8 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Hot Keys
Hot Keys

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

No
No

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Wheel  

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
Caps Lock

Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Bundle Picture
Keychron K8 Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Gateron Brown
Gateron Brown

Mechanical 
 

Yes
Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

44 gf
45 gf

Actuation Force 
 

36 gf
34 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.3 mm
2.2 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
4.1 mm

Show text

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Show text

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Noise 
 

Quiet
Quiet

Show text

Latency 
 

7.0
7.4

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

15.7 ms
11.0 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

25.3 ms
22.9 ms

Show text

Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

0.0
0.0

Software Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Software Picture
Keychron K8 Software Picture

Software Name  

No Software
No Software

Account Required 
 

No Software
No Software

Profiles 
 

No Profile
No Profile

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Cloud Sync 
 

No
No

Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Ease Of Use 
 

No Software
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No

Show text

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

9.2
7.9

Windows  

Full
Partial

macOS  

Full
Partial

Linux  

Partial
Partial

Android  

Full
Partial

iOS  

Partial
Partial

iPadOS  

Partial
Partial

Show text

Check Price

Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
B&H
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
BestBuy.com

Keychron K2 (Version 2)

Keychron K8

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron K2 (Version 2) vs Keychron K8: Main Discussion

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